Successful Feet First Sow Lameness Symposium II

08-09-2010 | Home | News

Swine industry and university experts from around the globe presented the most recent advancements in sow lameness causes, implications and prevention in Minneapolis last week during the Sow Lameness Symposium II hosted by Zinpro Corporation and the Feet First team.

This three-day event featured discussions on leading swine industry topics covering lameness prevalence, risk factors, anatomy and pathology, sow fertility and longevity, economics and possible solutions.

More than 125 swine industry experts were in attendance at this global event, which followed a successful event in 2008 – the world’s first sow lameness symposium.

“Lameness is a critical animal welfare issue with significant economic implications for sow herds around the world,” said Dr. Terry Ward, Director of Research and Nutritional Services for Zinpro Corporation.

“This symposium is designed to bring together international experts and industry representatives to share information and advance our collective understanding of this important topic.”

The symposium officially kicked off on Aug. 31 with a keynote address by Dr. Roger Campbell, CEO of the Pork Cooperative Research Centre in Australia.

During the meeting activities, hands-on clinics were held focusing on lesion pathology, reproduction, economics/Feet First calculator and osteochondrosis.

In addition, a series of presentations and discussions were held, including:

Swine lameness – Past, Present and Future, by Dr. John Deen, University of Minnesota
Selection of gilts – Biomechanics, by Dr. Ken Stalder, Iowa State University
The Pathogenesis of Osteochondrosis, by Dr. Cathy Carlson, University of Minnesota
Lameness, pain and behaviour, by Dr. Anna Johnson, Iowa State University
Sow claw lesion pathology, by Dr. Jerry Torrison, University of Minnesota
Pen gestation (loose housing systems): Lessons from Europe, by Dr. Marrina Schuttert, Veterinair Centrum Someren, Netherlands and Dr. Christof Rapp, Zinpro Animal Nutrition (Europe)
Practical understanding of claw lesions and how they impact lameness, by Dr. Sarel van Amstel, University of Tennessee
Effects of lameness on sow reproduction: Nutritional implications, by Dr. Mark Wilson, Zinpro Corp.
Producer perspectives on how they manage lameness in their herds, featuring an international panel of producers (United States, Canada and Mexico)
Mineral supplementation in modern pork production systems for optimum health and efficiency – The need for renewed focus, by Dr. Rob van Barneveld, Barneveld Nutrition Pty, LTD.
A passion for solutions: Products, lameness assessment tools and education from Zinpro, by Dr. Terry Ward, Zinpro Corp.

Being a specialist in trace mineral nutrition, Zinpro is committed to delivering the people, products and educational tools needed to help customers improve the performance and profitability of their operation.

The flagship swine product Availa Sow, which contains a unique combination of zinc, manganese and copper specifically formulated to help optimize the foot health and reproductive performance of sows.